KGUN9 On Your Side, Tucson News, Weather & SportsMiranda Padilla faces judge; charged for allegedly hiding daughters
Tucson Police investigators tell us a stressful family life may have contributed to the Padilla sisters' situation of running from one parent's home to the other. It's a scenario seen all too often on Tucson city streets that can lead kids to runaway from home or even end up homeless.
9 On Your Side's Dan Spindle has the story.
Tucson Police investigators tell us Marissa and Marina Padilla had run away from home before this week's extensive search to locate the missing girls.
Kids running away due to domestic instability is a reality Alice Krohn deals with every day.
"It really concerns me because I don't think young people realize how dangerous it is out on the streets." Krohn coordinates the SafePlace program for Tucson's Open Inn; a facility that helps kids and families who find themselves homeless, couch surfing as they call it, or displaced due to various family circumstances.
Tucson Police found no evidence that the Padilla sisters' father was abusive in any way.
"Children at that age, 11 and 13, oftentimes don't like being told what to do. One parent is strict and they perhaps go to another... One who's not as strict and allows them more liberties. So that adds to the mix," said Sgt. Pacheco.
Miranda Padilla faces felony charges for allegedly hiding her daughters from authorities and her ex-husband. And while the girls didn't runaway to a life on the streets, others often do.
"Do you have kids who say, I don't know how I got here, how did this happen?", I asked.
"Absolutely," said Krohn. "We're Arizona's oldest non-profit agency who's service is to help young folks who are at risk for running away, being homeless, as well as their families. And we're currently serving 13,000 people a year."
For more information you can visit Open Inn's website:
